Cable, electronic device, and method for controlling electronic device

ABSTRACT

There is provided a cable including at least one optical fiber cable, at least two electrical cables provided so as to sandwich the optical fiber cable, and plugs positioned at both ends and each having an electrical contact part connected to each of the electrical cables.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/432,556, filed Mar. 31, 2015, which is aNational Stage of PCT/JP2013/075911, filed Sep. 25, 2013, and claims thebenefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application JP2012-224876, filed Oct. 10, 2012, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cable, an electronic device and amethod for controlling the electronic device.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, an advancement of technology of high pixelization of a displaydevice is in progress, and trends of the advancement of the technologyof high pixelization of a display device are expected to continuefurther. Therefore, a demand for a transmission speed of non-compressedsignals to the display device is increasing in proportion to an increasein the number of pixels of the display device.

In a television, for example, a replacement from a standard imagequality (SD image quality) of such as 720 horizontal pixels by 480vertical pixels to a high definition image quality (HD image quality) ofsuch as 1920 horizontal pixels by 1080 vertical pixels is in progress.However, research and development of an image resolution of around 4,000horizontal pixels by around 2,000 vertical pixels, which is so-called as4K2K, and, furthermore, also a ultrahigh definition television (UHDTV)that is also called a super-high vision of 7,680 horizontal pixels by4,320 vertical pixels are in progress.

In the 4K2K, a transmission speed of 4 times a transmission speed of theHD image quality is necessary and, in the UHDTV, the transmission speedof 48 times the transmission speed of the HD image quality is necessary.In the transmission speeds like this, there is a problem thattransmission of non-compressed video signals due to a past copper wireline is not realistic. Therefore, it is considered that transmission byan optical fiber cable becomes general in the same manner as in theother high-speed data communication such as 100 G bit ETHERNET standard.

CITATION LIST Patent LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: JP 2010-237640A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

On the other hand, there does not exist a typical standard of ahigh-speed optical interface of about 10 Gbps or more, which is mainlyused in consumer electronics (CE) devices. Although a composite cablethat accommodates an electric wire and an optical fiber has beenproposed as in, for example, the Patent Literature 1, it cannot be saidthat optical interfaces for use in infrastructures or managementsincluding present INTERNET have yielded eye-safety from laser light,realistic low cost and a magnitude corresponding to recent compactdevices, which are required for the CE devices. Therefore, in view ofthe trends of high-pixelization of the display devices, an opticalinterface that is safe, inexpensive and compact, and is mainly used inthe CE devices is in demand.

Therefore, the present disclosure intends to provide a novel andimproved photoelectric composite cable that is capable of yielding anoptical interface that is safe, inexpensive, and compact; and is capableof high-speed transmission, an electronic device and a method forcontrolling the electronic device.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a cable includingat least one optical fiber cable, at least two electrical cablesprovided so as to sandwich the optical fiber cable, and plugs positionedat both ends and each having an electrical contact part connected toeach of the electrical cables.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an electronicdevice including a receptacle having at least two electrical contactsand at least one light-emitting part configured to emit laser light forperforming communication by light to a partner side electronic device,and a light emission control part configured to control emission oflaser light from the light-emitting part. The light emission controlpart starts control of emission of laser light from the light-emittingpart by a current when a cable is connected to the receptacle and thecurrent flows to the electrical contacts from the partner sideelectronic device.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an electronicdevice including a receptacle having at least two electrical contactsand at least one light-receiving part configured to receive laser lightfor performing communication by light emitted from a partner sideelectronic device, and a supply control part configured to controlsupply of a current to the partner side electronic device through theelectrical contacts. The supply control part starts supply of a currentthrough the electrical contacts when a cable is connected to thereceptacle.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method forcontrolling an electronic device, the method including a step ofstarting control of emission of laser light from a light-emitting partby a current when a cable is connected to a receptacle having at leasttwo electrical contacts and at least one light-emitting part configuredto emit laser light for performing communication by light to a partnerside electronic device, and the current flows from the partner sideelectronic device to the electrical contacts.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method forcontrolling an electronic device, the method including a step ofstarting supply of a current to a partner side electronic device throughelectrical contacts when a cable is connected to a receptacle having atleast two electrical contacts and at least one light-receiving partconfigured to receive laser light for performing communication by lightemitted from the partner side electronic device.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure is capable of providing a novel and improved cable that iscapable of yielding an optical interface that is safe, inexpensive, andcompact, and is capable of high-speed transmission, an electronic deviceand a method for controlling the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary entireconfiguration of a system configured by electronic devices connectedwith a cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary structure of acable 1 that is used in a system according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary functionalconfiguration of a source device 2 that configures a system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary functionalconfiguration of a sink device 4 that configures a system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that shows power supply from the sinkdevice 4 to the source device 2 through the cable 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that shows exemplary operations of the sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary shape of ageneral optical ribbon.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary cross-sectionof the cable 1.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram that shows a case where a photoelectriccomposite cable wire 11 is twisted.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram that shows a case where thephotoelectric composite cable wire 11 is laterally bent.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram that shows a case where thephotoelectric composite cable wire 11 is vertically bent.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram that shows a situation where the cable1 is about to be cut with a pair of scissors.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram that conceptually shows a structure ofa plug 12 of the cable 1.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram that shows a plan view and a frontview of an exemplary configuration of the plug 12.

FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram that shows a situation where a plugand a receptacle are joined.

FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram that shows a situation where a plugand a receptacle are joined.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the drawings, elements that have substantiallythe same function and structure are denoted with the same referencesigns, and repeated explanation is omitted.

Note that description will be provided in the following order.

<1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure> [Exemplary SystemConfiguration] [Exemplary Structure of Cable] [Exemplary FunctionalConfiguration of Source Device] [Exemplary Functional Configuration ofSink Device]

[Power Supply through Cable]

[Exemplary Operations of Source Device and Sink Device] [Exemplary Shapeof Cable] <2. Conclusion> <1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure>[Exemplary System Configuration]

Firstly, an exemplary entire configuration of a system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is anexplanatory diagram that shows an exemplary entire configuration of asystem configured by electronic devices connected with a cable accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, an exemplaryentire configuration of a system according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a source device 2 and a sink device 4. The sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4 are connected with a cable 1.

The source device 2 illustrates a compact mobile device such as a smartphone or a digital camera in FIG. 1. The sink device 4 illustrates atelevision receiver in FIG. 1. The source device 2 is provided with asource device side receptacle 3 for connecting the cable 1, and the sinkdevice 4 is provided with a sink device side receptacle 5 for connectingthe cable 1. It goes without saying that the source device 2 and thesink device 4, which are shown in FIG. 1 are only an example, and thesource device 2 and the sink device 4 are not limited to those shown inFIG. 1. Further, although a situation where the sink device 4 isprovided with a plurality of the sink device side receptacles 5 (threein the drawing) is shown in FIG. 1, it goes without saying that thepresent disclosure is not limited to such an example.

Here, terms of “source” and “sink” are used under a definition the sameas a “source” and a “sink” in a high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI). That is, the source device 2 is a device on a side from whichdata are sent, and the sink device 4 is a device on a side by which thedata are received. Data stored in the source device 2 are transmitted tothe sink device 4 through the cable 1 when the source device 2 and thesink device 4 are connected with the cable 1. In the followingexplanation, a side that sends data is defined as a “source” and a sidethat receives the data is defined as a “sink”.

The cable 1 is a cable that connects the source device side receptacle 3provided to the source device 2 that is an output source of a video andvoice, and the sink device side receptacle 5 provided to the sink device4. The cable 1 performs delivery of such as video data, voice data,other data, control signals, and electrical power between the sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4. The cable 1 is provided with an opticalfiber cable for performing high-speed data transmission between thesource device 2 and the sink device 4. Further, the cable 1 is providedwith also an electrical cable for sending and receiving electrical powerbetween the source device 2 and the sink device 4. A width of the cable1 and a size of a connector are desirable to be suppressed to a sizethat can be used in compact electronic devices such as digital camerasand smart phones.

In the above, an exemplary entire configuration of a system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure has been described withreference to FIG. 1. Next, an exemplary structure of a cable used in asystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed.

[Exemplary Structure of Cable]

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary structure ofthe cable 1 that is used in a system according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Hereinafter, an exemplary structure of the cable 1that is used in a system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 1 includes two plugs 12 provided to bothends, two or more electrical contact parts 13 provided to each of theplugs 12, and a plurality of optical contact parts 14 arranged in a rowwith a substantial equidistance. Further, a photoelectric compositecable wire 11 described below is formed between the two plugs 12. Thephotoelectric composite cable wire 11 includes at least one, desirably aplurality of optical fiber cables and two or more electrical cables. Theelectrical cable is connected to the electrical contact part 13.

The plug 12 is a plug for connecting to the source device sidereceptacle 3 or the sink device side receptacle 5. Therefore, a shape ofthe plug 12 is defined to be adaptable to shapes of the source deviceside receptacle 3 and the sink device side receptacle 5. Further, theelectrical contact parts 13 provided to the plug 12 are provided forsending and receiving electrical power between the source device 2 andthe sink device 4 as will be described below. It goes without sayingthat the shape of the plug 12 and a position of the electrical contactpart 13 provided to the plug 12 are not limited to those shown in FIG.2.

When a high-speed and large capacity digital signal of 10 Gbps per onechannel is assumed to be flowed to the photoelectric composite cablewire 11 shown in FIG. 2, by using an optical fiber having a plurality ofchannels (the number of channels) as the photoelectric composite cablewire 11, signals corresponding to multiple number of the channel numbercan be transmitted. That is, ultra-high-speed communication from severaltens of Gbps to exceeding 100 Gbps, which has been very difficult toyield with a past inter-device interface due to only electricity becomespossible.

In the above, an exemplary structure of the cable 1 used in a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been describedwith reference to FIG. 2. Next, an exemplary functional configuration ofthe source device 2 that configures a system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure will be described.

[Exemplary Functional Configuration of Source Device]

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary functionalconfiguration of the source device 2 that configures a system accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, an exemplaryfunctional configuration of the source device 2 will be described withreference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the source device 2 that configures a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes anintegrated chip set 22, a memory 23, a display part 24, a signalconversion part 27 and a laser drive circuit 35. Further, the sourcedevice side receptacle 3 provided to the source device 2 includeselectrical contacts 31 and 32 and a plurality of light-emitting parts34.

The integrated chip set 22 performs control of an operation of thesource device 2. Although there are various controls of an operation ofthe source device 2, which the integrated chip set 22 performs, forexample, the integrated chip set 22 performs various signal processesfor supplying to the sink device 4 over contents such as an image and avoice, which are supplied from the source device 2 to the sink device 4.The memory 23 stores such as various programs that control an operationof the source device 2 and data that are used for control of theoperation, and as required, the program or the data are read from theintegrated chip set 22. The display part 24 displays images, charactersand other pieces of information and includes such as a liquid crystaldisplay and an organic EL display. The display part 24 displays images,characters and other pieces of information by the control of theintegrated chip set 22.

The signal conversion part 27 converts data of the contents such as animage and a sound into a signal for driving the laser drive circuit 35.A signal produced by the signal conversion part 27 is supplied to thelaser drive circuit 35. The laser drive circuit 35 makes thelight-emitting parts 34 of the source device side receptacle 3 emitlight based on the signal supplied from the signal conversion part 27.

The light-emitting part 34 emits laser light by the laser drive circuit35. The light-emitting part 34 includes such as an optical member suchas a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) element fortransmitting a signal by light emission and a lens formed associativelywith the VCSEL element.

The light-emitting part 34 is provided to a position corresponding to anoptical contact of the plug of the cable 1. The electrical contacts 31and 32 are provided to positions that sandwich the plurality of thelight-emitting parts 34 therebetween as shown in FIG. 3. The electricalcontact 31 is an electrical contact that imparts a predeterminedpotential, for example, a potential of +5 V, and the electrical contact32 is an electrical contact of a potential of GND. When the plug 12 ofthe cable 1 is engaged with the source device side receptacle 3, theelectrical contacts 31 and 32 and the electrical contact parts 13 of theplug 12 come into contact. The source device 2 is capable of receiving asupply of electric power from the sink device 4 by the contact of theelectrical contacts 31 and 32 and the electrical contact parts 13 of theplug 12.

The electrical contact 31 that imparts a potential of +5 V is connectedwith a positive electrode power supply 36 of the laser drive circuit 35,and, in the same manner, the electrical contact 32 of GND is connectedto the GND 37 of the laser drive circuit 35, thus, the power supply tothe laser drive circuit 35 is made possible.

In the above, an exemplary functional configuration of the source device2 has been described with reference to FIG. 3. Next, an exemplaryfunctional configuration of the sink device 4 that configures a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[Exemplary Functional Configuration of Sink Device]

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplary functionalconfiguration of the sink device 4 that configures a system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, an exemplaryfunctional configuration of the sink device 4 will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sink device 4 includes an integrated chip set42, a drive circuit 43, a display part 44, and a signal processing part53. Further, the sink device side receptacle 5 includes electricalcontacts 51 and 52, and a plurality of light-receiving parts 54.

The integrated chip set 42 controls an operation of the sink device 4.For example, the integrated chip set 42 performs a signal process fordisplaying data of contents of an image and a voice transmitted from thesource device 2 through the cable 1 on the display part 44, and suppliesto the drive circuit 43. The drive circuit 43 acquires the signal fromthe integrated chip stet 42 and produces a signal for driving thedisplay part 44. The display part 44 includes such as a liquid crystaldisplay or an organic EL display and displays an image when driven bythe drive circuit 43.

The sink device 4 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, one or a plurality ofthe sink device side receptacles 5, and, each of the sink device sidereceptacles 5 includes a plurality of the light-receiving parts 54 dueto a photodiode element for transmitting a signal by receiving light andan optical member such as a lens that is formed associatively with thephotodiode element so as to correspond to the optical contact of theplug of the cable 1. The electrical contacts 51 and 52 are provided withthe light-receiving parts 54 interposed therebetween. The electricalcontact 51 is an electrical contact that imparts a potential of, forexample, +5 V, and the electrical contact 52 is an electrical contactthat imparts a potential of GND. When the plug 12 of the cable 1 isengaged with the sink device side receptacle 5, the electrical contacts51 and 52 and the electrical contact parts 13 of the plug 12 come intocontact. The sink device 4 is capable of supplying electric power to thesource device 2 by the contact of the electrical contacts 51 and 52 andthe electrical contact parts 13 of the plug 12.

The contents of such as an image and a voice that are transmittedthrough the cable 1 and supplied by the source device 2 are guided as anoptical signal by an optical fiber core wire 17 of each channel of thecable 1 described below. The optical signal guided by the optical fibercore wire 17 is optically coupled respectively with the light-receivingpart 54 of each channel corresponding to the optical contact part 14 ofeach channel described below.

The signal from the light-receiving part 54 undergoes a signal processat the integrated chip set 42 after processes such as amplification andparallelization have been performed at, for example, the signalprocessing part 53. The integrated chip set 42 supplies the signal aftersignal process to the drive circuit 43, and the drive circuit 43converts into a signal appropriate for driving the display part 44.Then, the content of the image transmitted from the source device 2 isdisplayed on the display part 44, and the voice transmitted from thesource device 2 is sounded by a not shown speaker.

In the above, an exemplary functional configuration of the sink device 4has been described with reference to FIG. 4. Next, light emission andpower supply of the source device 2 due to power supply through thecable 1 that connects the source device 2 and the sink device 4 will bedescribed.

[Power Supply through Cable]

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram that shows power supply from the sinkdevice 4 to the source device 2 through the cable 1. Hereinafter, lightemission and power supply of the source device 2 due to the power supplythrough the cable 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cable 1 is provided with two plugs 12 at bothends and each plug 12 is provided with two or more electrical contactparts 13. The cable 1 is provided with two or more electrical cables 15that connect between the electrical contact parts 13 provided to theplugs 12 at both ends.

The sink device 4 includes, as described above, the electrical contacts51 and 52 in the sink device side receptacle 5. The electrical contact51 is an electrical contact that imparts a potential of, for example, +5V, and the electrical contact 52 is an electrical contact of a potentialof GND. When the plug 12 is inserted into the sink device sidereceptacle 5, the electrical contact parts 13 come into contact with theelectrical contacts 51 and 52. Power supply of 5 V through theelectrical cable 15 is performed from the sink device side receptacle 5to a partner side plug 12 of the cable 1 by the contact of electricalcontacts 51 and 52 with the electrical contact parts 13.

When the partner side plug 12 is inserted into the source device sidereceptacle 3, the electrical contact parts 13 come into contact with theelectrical contacts 31 and 32. By the contact, a potential of +5 V isimparted to the laser drive circuit 35 on the source device side. In thesame manner, also the GND side is connected through the electrical cable15 of the cable 1. Therefore, by power supply from the sink device 4,the light-emitting part 34 of the source device 2 becomes capable ofbeing driven.

Further, when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are connectedwith the cable 1, by use of the electrical cable 15 provided to thecable 1, the power supply to the source device 2, or, when the sourcedevice 2 is provided with a battery, also charging to the batterybecomes possible.

In the above, the light emission and power supply of the source device 2due to power supply through the cable 1 have been described withreference to FIG. 5. Next, exemplary operations of the source device 2and the sink device 4 when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 areconnected with the cable 1 will be described.

[Exemplary Operations of Source Device and Sink Device]

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that shows exemplary operations of the sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4 when the source device 2 and the sinkdevice 4 are connected with the cable 1 in a system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, with reference toFIG. 6, exemplary operations of the source device 2 and the sink device4 when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are connected with thecable 1 will be described.

At the time of non-connection of the cable in which the source device 2and the sink device 4 are not connected with the cable 1, the sinkdevice 4 is in a standby mode (step S101). In a state in the standbymode, the electrical contact 51 on a +5 V side of the sink device 4 isnormally in a small current mode.

The source device 2 and the sink device 4 stand by until the sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4 are connected with the cable 1 (stepS102). When the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are connected withthe cable 1, the sink device 4 detects connection with the source device2 through the cable 1 by detecting that a current flowed between theelectrical contact 51 on the +5 V side and the electrical contact 52 onthe GND side (step S103). The electrical contact 51 on the +5 V side ofthe sink device 4 side enters into a mode capable of supplying aspecified current value larger than that during the standby mode by theconnection of the source device 2 and the sink device 4 with the cable1.

Subsequently, the sink device 4 sends a pulse for notifying that apreparation for power supply from the sink device 4 to a line to which+5 V is supplied of the electrical cables 15 has been completed to thesource device 2 (step S104).

The source device 2 that has received the pulse for notifying thecompletion of preparation of the power supply from the sink device 4obtains a specified current value from the electrical contact 31 on the+5 V power supply side and drives the laser drive circuit 35 (stepS105). Further, when the source device 2 receives power supply from thesink device 4, the source device 2 enters into a mode for receiving thepower supply from the sink device 4 (step S106).

Further, the sink device 4 that has detected the connection with thesource device 2 through the cable 1 controls from, for example, theintegrated chip set 42 such that a circuit of the light-receiving part54 of the sink device side receptacle 5 is activated (step S107).

When the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are driven like this,laser light is emitted from the light-emitting part 34 of the sourcedevice side receptacle 3 only when both devices are surely connectedwith the cable 1.

Further, when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are driven likethis, the connection by the electrical cable 15 becomes open when thecable 1 came off, and a current is not supplied from the sink device 4to the source device 2. Therefore, oscillation of the laser light fromthe light emitting part 34 of the source device side receptacle 3 stops.

That is, when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are not surelyconnected with the cable 1, a potential of +5 V is not supplied from thesink device 4 to the source device 2, and since the laser light is notemitted from the light-emitting part 34, the eye safety is yielded.

In the above, exemplary operations of the source device 2 and the sinkdevice 4 when the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are connectedwith the cable 1 have been described with reference to FIG. 6.

Next, modified exemplary operations of the source device 2 and the sinkdevice 4 will be described. The sink device 4 that has detected theconnection through the cable 1 may make active, in the first stage whenthe light-receiving parts 54 of the sink device side receptacle 5 areactivated, firstly only predetermined prioritized one channel among theplurality of the light-receiving parts 54 of the sink device 4. Further,in a signal from the light-emitting part 34 of the source device 2,which corresponds to the prioritized one channel among thelight-receiving parts 54, a designation signal that designates a channelthat is scheduled to be actually used may be added. Then, when theprioritized one channel among the light-receiving parts 54 of the sinkdevice 4 receives the designation signal that designates channelsscheduled to be actually used from the light-emitting part 34, only thelight-receiving parts 54 corresponding to channels only of additionallynecessary number, which are designated by the designation signal may beactivated.

When the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are operated like this,since only the light-receiving parts necessary for transmitting databetween the source device 2 and the sink device 4 are energized, andunnecessary light-receiving parts are not energized, power consumptionmay be suppressed. Further, when the source device 2 and the sink device4 are configured like this, low consumption power during standby and lowconsumption power due to partial drive of only a necessary part ofchannels can be yielded.

Specifically, as a case where only a part of the channels is partiallydriven, for example, a case where a bit rate of a signal that istransmitted from the source device 2 to the sink device 4 is low isconsidered. When the bit rate of a signal transmitted from the sourcedevice 2 to the sink device 4 is low, there is no need of driving allchannels, and, only by driving minimum channels appropriate for the bitrate of the signal, a signal is transmitted from the source device 2 tothe sink device 4.

[Exemplary Shape of Cable]

Next, an exemplary shape of the cable 1 used in a system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 7 is anexplanatory diagram that shows an exemplary shape of a general opticalribbon, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that shows an exemplarycross-section of the cable 1.

Firstly, an exemplary shape of a general optical ribbon 19 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 7. In general, the optical ribbon 19 isconfigured by arranging a plurality of optical fiber core wires 17 in arow and by covering the plurality of optical fiber core wires 17 with aresinous covering 18 for protecting the optical fiber core wires 17arranged in a row. As the number of the optical fiber core wires 17,although, for example, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8 cores, and 12 cores aregenerally considered, the number of the optical fiber core wires 17 isnot limited to these.

Next, an exemplary cross section of the cable 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 8. The photoelectric composite cable wire 11 thatconnects two plugs 12 includes electrical cables 15 with the pluralityof the optical fiber core wires 17 interposed therebetween as shown inFIG. 8. Further, when a cross section of the photoelectric compositecable wire 11 is viewed, as shown in FIG. 8, diameters or thicknesses ΦD of covering parts 16 of the electrical cables 15 that sandwich theoptical fiber core wires 17 are thicker than a thickness dimension t ofthe covering 18 of a part of the optical fiber core wires 17.

When the cable 1 is configured like this, the following advantageouseffects are yielded. Firstly, when the photoelectric composite cablewire 11 always comes into contact with a plane such as a floor or atable, the covering part of the electrical cable 15 comes into contact,therefore, an advantageous effect that it becomes difficult to impart anexternal damage to the optical fiber core wires 17 and the covering 18of the optical fiber core wires is yielded.

Further, there is an advantageous effect that a role as a mechanicalholding member (tension member) when the photoelectric composite cablewire 11 is pulled may be imparted to the electrical cables 15. FIG. 9,FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 each is an explanatory diagram that shows a casewhere the photoelectric composite cable wire 11 is twisted, laterallybent, or vertically bent. As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11,together with the role as the mechanical holding member, in all caseswhere the photoelectric composite cable wire 11 is twisted, laterally orvertically bent, maximum displacement and force F are in proportion to adistance of an axis that is a center of bending. Therefore, since in allcases where the photoelectric composite cable wire 11 is twisted,laterally or vertically bent, the maximum displacement and force F areapplied to the electrical cable 15 and the covering part 16 of theelectrical cable 15, an advantageous effect that excessive stress iscapable of being prevented from occurring to the optical fiber corewires 17 and the covering 18 of the optical fiber core wires 17 iscapable of yielding to the cable 1.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram that shows a situation where the cable1 is about to be cut with a pair of scissors. As shown in FIG. 12, alsowhen the cable 1 is cut with, for example, a pair of scissors, a cutter,or a sharp corner, a peripheral electrical cable 15 and the coveringpart 16 of the electrical cable 15 are initially cut. Therefore, theoptical fiber core wires 17 and the covering 18 of the optical fibercore wires are cut after the electrical cable 15 and the covering part16 of the electrical cable 15 are cut.

As described above, when the photoelectric composite cable wire 11 iscut in a state where the source device 2 and the sink device 4 areconnected with the cable 1, the electrical cable 15 is cut in advance,therefore, the power supply from the sink device 4 to the source device2 is stopped and oscillation (light emission) of the laser light of thesource device 2 is stopped. That is, in a state where the cable 1 isentirely or partially cut, an infrared ray or visible light that may bedetrimental to human eye due to high energy density does not come out ofa cut plane of the cable 1. Further, in the same manner, also when theplug 12 is not inserted in the sink device side receptacle 5, theinfrared ray or the visible light does not come out from an end plane ofthe plug 12 or the optical contact part 14. Therefore, even when thephotoelectric composite cable wire 11 is cut in a state where the sourcedevice 2 and the sink device 4 are connected with the cable 1, the eyesafety is yielded.

Subsequently, an exemplary structure of the plugs 12 provided to bothends of the cable 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagramthat conceptually shows a certain exemplary structure of the plug 12 ofthe cable 1. Further, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram that shows aplan view and a front view of another exemplary structure of the plug12. As described above, the photoelectric composite cable wire 11 isprovided with the electrical cables 15 with the plurality of opticalfiber core wires 17 interposed therebetween. Therefore, as a structureof the plug 12, a shape that is shown in, for example, FIG. 13 isconsidered.

FIG. 13 shows an internal structure of the plug 12. In an example shownin FIG. 13, a plurality of the optical fiber core wires 17 are arrangedin a row, and in front of the optical fiber core wires 17, a member ofthe optical contact parts 14 is provided.

FIG. 14 shows another exemplary structure of the plug 12. In the plug 12shown in FIG. 14, the plurality of the optical fiber core wires 17 arearranged in a row, and in front thereof, the member of the opticalcontact parts 14 is formed with positioning hole parts 61 and 62provided on both sides. FIG. 14 illustrates only a right half of theplug 12 such that an internal structure of the plug 12 may be wellunderstood. As shown in FIG. 14, the electrical contact parts 13 with aspring element are configured so as to come into the positioning holeparts 61 and 62 from a side surface on an opposite side of a side wherethe optical fiber core wires 17 are present of the positioning holeparts 61 and 62. In examples shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, although themember of the optical contact parts 14 is formed by integrally moldingthe plurality of channels in a row, a form of the optical contact partin the cable of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples.

Next, joining of the plug 12 and the source device side receptacle 3 ofthe source device 2, or the sink device side receptacle 5 of the sinkdevice 5 will be described. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B each is an explanatorydiagram that shows a situation where the plug 12 and the source deviceside receptacle 3 of the source device 2, or the sink device sidereceptacle 5 of the sink device 5 are joined in a plan view. The FIG.15A and FIG. 15B each shows only a right half of the plug 12 such thatan internal structure of the plug 12 may be well understood. FIG. 15Ashows a state before the plug 12 and the source device side receptacle 3of the source device 2, or the sink device side receptacle 5 of the sinkdevice 5 are joined. FIG. 15B shows a state after the plug 12 and thesource device side receptacle 3 of the source device 2, or the sinkdevice side receptacle 5 of the sink device 5 have been joined.

Positioning pins 63 and 64 are provided to the source device sidereceptacle 3 or the sink device side receptacle 5. The positioning pins63 and 64 are electrical contacts of the source device side receptacle 3or the sink device side receptacle 5. When the plug 12 is inserted intothe source device side receptacle 3 or the sink device side receptacle5, the positioning pins 63 and 64 are inserted into the positioning holeparts 61 and 62 of the plug 12, and by the contact with the electricalcontact parts 13 with a spring element, electrical continuation isestablished and positioning is performed with respect to an insertiondirection.

Further, when the optical contact part 14 of the plug 12 is positionedwith respect to the light-emitting part 34 of the source device 2 or thelight-receiving part 54 of the sink device 4, an optical communicationis performed between the source device 2 and the sink device 4.

The plug 12 configured like this separates, at the time of assembling,two electrical cables 15 (including covering) which are externallydisposed in the optical composite cable wire 11, and the optical ribbon19 into three at the root of the plug 12. Then, the electrical cable 15is, after the covering has been peeled, electrically joined with theelectrical contact part 13 positioned outside of the plurality ofoptical fiber core wires 17 by means of such as caulking. On the otherhand, the plurality of the optical fiber core wires 17 in the centerpart become a plurality of optical contact parts 14 that are arrangedwith the same pitch as that (distance between core wires) of the opticalfiber core wires. The optical fiber core wires 17 and the integrallymolded optical contact parts having such as lenses for condensing lightof a plurality of channels arranged with the same pitch may have aconfiguration in which these are adhered by facing with a distance or byfacing without a distance by use of such as an adhesive.

Since the cable 1 is connected to a portable telephone or a digitalcamera, a size of the plug 12 of the cable 1 is desirable to be formedinto a relatively small size, for example, a size identical with amicro-universal serial bus (USB) terminal, or a size smaller than that.Further, the shape of the plug 12 shown in FIG. 14 is an example and theshape of the plug of the cable is not limited to such an example in thepresent disclosure.

In the above, an exemplary shape of the cable 1 used in a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described.A form of a cable of the present disclosure is not limited to the formdescribed above.

For example, although a configuration in which two electrical contactparts 13 are provided to the plug 12 is shown in the above description,the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. Three, four ormore electrical contact parts 13 may be provided to the plug 12. Whenthree or more electrical contact parts 13 are provided to the plug 12,with a signal, for example, on a +5 V side as a minute differentialsignal, a signal of an existing electrical interface such as a pastmobile high-definition link (MHL) may be flowed through the electricalcontact part 13.

Further, for example, as a structure of a positioning pin, theelectrical contact part 13 may have a structure in which overallpositioning is performed with a polishing shaft. Further, the polishingshaft may be provided with a groove for providing a click feeling at thetime of joining or for calling in compression molding.

Further, for example, the optical ribbon 19 is not necessarily arrangedin a row. For example, even when the same 12 cores are assumed, the 12cores may be arranged in a row, or in 3 rows of 4 cores. Further, theplug 12 may be configured also by facing the plurality of the opticalfiber core wires 17 and the plurality of the optical contact parts 14that are arranged with the same pitch as that (distance between corewires) of the plurality of the optical fiber core wires 17.

<2. Conclusion>

As described above, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the photoelectric composite interface and the cable 1 usedin the photoelectric composite interface may be configured as describedabove. When the cable 1, the source device side receptacle 3 of thesource device 2 and the sink device side receptacle 5 of the sink device4 are formed into forms as described above, an interface for anot-existing CE device, which is capable of performing communication ata ultra-high-speed from several tens of Gbps to exceeding 100 Gbps,which has been very difficult to yield in an existing interface betweendevices due to only electricity is yielded.

That is, different from an existing professional optical interface,while having a shape that is suitable for CE devices used in such ashomes and is easy to handle, optical fibers incorporated in the cableare suppressed from breaking, the eye safety from a laser light used incommunication is yielded, and low consumption power of the source deviceis yielded. Further, downsizing and thinning of the plug of the cable 1are yielded, and by reducing an assemblage cost, manufacture at low costis yielded.

Therefore, the cable 1, the source device 2 and the sink device 4according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are capable ofproviding a safe and inexpensive novel photoelectric composite interfacecorresponding to a rise in a transmission speed of a non-compressedsignal accompanying high pixelization of a future display.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the presentdisclosure is not limited to the above examples, of course. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

A cable including:

at least one optical fiber cable; at least two electrical cablesprovided so as to sandwich the optical fiber cable; and

plugs positioned at both ends and each having an electrical contact partconnected to each of the electrical cables.

(2)

The cable according to (1),

wherein a diameter of a cross-section of a covering part of theelectrical cable is longer than a thickness of a covering part of theoptical fiber cable.

(3)

The cable according to (1) or (2),

wherein the number of the optical fiber cables is two or more, and aplurality of the optical fiber cables are arranged in a row.

(4)

The cable according to any one of (1) to (3),

wherein the number of the optical fiber cables is two or more, and aplurality of the optical fiber cables are arranged in two or more rows.

(5)

The cable according to any one of (1) to (4),

wherein the plug is provided with a positioning part for joining with areceptacle.

(6)

The cable according to (5),

wherein the electrical contact part is moved to an inside of thepositioning part when the plug is joined with the receptacle.

(7)

The cable according to (6), wherein the electrical contact part includesa spring element.

(8)

An electronic device including:

a receptacle having at least two electrical contacts and at least onelight-emitting part configured to emit laser light for performingcommunication by light to a partner side electronic device; and

a light emission control part configured to control emission of laserlight from the light-emitting part,

wherein the light emission control part starts control of emission oflaser light from the light-emitting part by a current when a cable isconnected to the receptacle and the current flows to the electricalcontacts from the partner side electronic device.

(9)

The electronic device according to (8),

wherein the light emission control part makes light emit only from theminimum light-emitting parts necessary for communication with thepartner side electronic device at the time when control of emission oflaser light from the light-emitting part is started.

(10)

An electronic device including:

a receptacle having at least two electrical contacts and at least onelight-receiving part configured to receive laser light for performingcommunication by light emitted from a partner side electronic device;and

a supply control part configured to control supply of a current to thepartner side electronic device through the electrical contacts,

wherein the supply control part starts supply of a current through theelectrical contacts when a cable is connected to the receptacle.

(11)

A method for controlling an electronic device, the method including:

a step of starting control of emission of laser light from alight-emitting part by a current when a cable is connected to areceptacle having at least two electrical contacts and at least onelight-emitting part configured to emit laser light for performingcommunication by light to a partner side electronic device, and thecurrent flows from the partner side electronic device to the electricalcontacts.

(12)

A method for controlling an electronic device, the method including:

a step of starting supply of a current to a partner side electronicdevice through electrical contacts when a cable is connected to areceptacle having at least two electrical contacts and at least onelight-receiving part configured to receive laser light for performingcommunication by light emitted from the partner side electronic device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 cable

2 source device

3 source device side receptacle

4 sink device

5 sink device side receptacle

11 photoelectric composite cable wire

12 plug

13 electrical contact part

14 optical contact part

15 electrical cable

16 covering part

17 optical fiber core wire

18 covering

19 optical ribbon

22 integrated chip set

23 memory

24 display part

27 signal conversion part

31, 32 electrical contact

34 light-emitting part

35 laser drive circuit

36 positive electrode power supply part

42 integrated chip set

43 drive circuit

44 display part

51, 52 electrical contact

53 signal processing part

54 light-receiving part

61, 62 positioning hole part

63, 64 positioning pin

1. An electronic device, comprising: a receptacle having at least twoelectrical contacts and at least one light-emitting part configured toemit laser light for performing communication by light to a partner sideelectronic device; and a light emission control part configured tocontrol emission of laser light from the light-emitting part, whereinthe light emission control part starts control of emission of laserlight from the light-emitting part by a current when a cable isconnected to the receptacle and the current flows to the electricalcontacts from the partner side electronic device.
 2. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control partmakes light emit only from the minimum light-emitting parts necessaryfor communication with the partner side electronic device at the timewhen control of emission of laser light from the light-emitting part isstarted.
 3. A method for controlling an electronic device, the methodcomprising: starting control of emission of laser light from alight-emitting part by a current when a cable is connected to areceptacle having at least two electrical contacts and at least onelight-emitting part configured to emit laser light for performingcommunication by light to a partner side electronic device, and thecurrent flows from the partner side electronic device to the electricalcontacts.